Senators at Rangers … It’s Go Time!

Ya boys can clinch a playoff spot by getting a point in any of their last four games, or via both the Devils and the Maple Leaves failing to win out. More importantly, they are two wins away from clinching a spot in the 2-3 first-round matchup.

The Rangers can clinch a 2-3 seed first-round matchup with two wins in their last 4, or if Columbus gets fewer than 7 points in its last 5. If the Rangers win just one more game, they get the 2-3 seed by Columbus failing to get nine of 10 possible points.

I think that’s all correct. I will ask Captain Obvious. Or any of youse. I will happily fix it if you find a mistake (eric).

Here’s how I look at the standings before tonight’s games, regarding the Rangers’ clinching and getting the 2-3 seed:

The Rangers are 7-1-1 in last nine. After tonight, there are three games left — Carolina Tuesday and Buffalo Thursday, both at MSG, then a season finale in Montreal Saturday.

Ryan McDonagh (shoulder) remains out day to day. Brian Boyle is expected to move up, probably for some wall presence and defensive responsibility that’s been woefully missing from the Brad Richards-Martin St. Louis line.

Henrik Lundqvist starts in goal against Robin Lehner and the Senators, who are barely mathematically alive for a wild card.

As I learned today, it was the NHLPA that overruled Bettman, who didn’t want to pick that fight before the CBA negotiations. They were pissed that top-four in each division might not be fair because some divisions had seven teams and some eight. When, in actuality, the eighth team isn’t a factor at all in any playoff race ever. So they were wrong, and he obliged them.

Sioux, I wrote the other day that he’s looking for $2.5 per for four, which might happen someplace else, but won’t happen here. Maybe that’s just a starting point and he’ll negotiate, unlike the former young, non-vocal captain.

amazing how refs
have consistently whistled the puck when
it was out of view
but
somehow
while ref was behind the net and puck was
somewhere around Hank’s jockstrap
play goes on
and sens are allowed to poke at the puck

nhl officiating at its finest. sadly rangers have so little toughness that zucc has to answer. turris and neil own nyr. why have dorsey and carcillo if not use them? oh cuz we r going to win this with our stars

I hope Sather slinks in his chair every time when of these situations happen. Teams run the rangers bc there is no one to who is gonna punch back in the mouth. I can’t believe this crap.

And its crap carp, that no one is gonna prevent some of these guys from running guys. you know how it work, you run my guys, my guys run your guys. then your skill guys tell you to quit it, bc they are the ones who get targeted. This is crap.

Not that type of player, Romeo. You can’t be that type of player until you become that type of player and its tough to become that type of player when you’ve established you’re not that type of player.

Malt @ 10:00: Its pretty well known that when my wife steps out of our relationship, she targets really doughy, bad smelling and super creepy dudes who wear their insecurities on their sleeves. So, congrats for getting picked, man. Way to go.